Man killed during domestic dispute Sunday night in Alamogordo

John Bear-Daily News
An Alamogordo police officer places a rifle allegedly used in a homicide Sunday night. Police continued their investigation Monday morning.

The Alamogordo Police Department continued its investigation Monday morning into the shooting death of a 36-year-old Texas man late Sunday following a domestic dispute.

According to Otero Magistrate Court records obtained by the Daily News, Albert P. Whitehead, 21, is charged with an open count of murder, a first-degree felony, in the death of Eric Gillock, of Hurst, Texas.

Sgt. Roger Schoolcraft said Monday morning that the shooting appeared to have happened when Whitehead — who lives in an adjacent apartment — allegedly intervened in a physical domestic dispute between Gillock and the Gillock's girlfriend at about 11 p.m.

He said the woman was allegedly throwing Gillock out of her house when he threw her into some weeds outside of the residence.

A child was present during the alleged domestic dispute and reportedly implored Gillock to stop hitting the woman, according to court records.

Schoolcraft said Whitehead allegedly saw the woman being battered and grabbed a .22 rifle and confronted the Gillock, ordering him to stop assaulting the woman.

Gillock allegedly charged at Whitehead, who moved back into the house at which time the gun when off, striking Gillock once in the chest, Schoolcraft said.

"He said he didn't even realize he had pulled the trigger," Schoolcraft said, referring to Whitehead.

He said Gillock continued into the residence and fought with the Whitehead before going limp.

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Whitehead's roommate allegedly came to his aid and also reported hitting Gillock before the victim "suddenly 'went limp,'" according to court records.

Schoolcraft said when police arrived, Whitehead was attempting to revive Gillock.

"The suspect was actually doing CPR on the victim when the police drove up," Schoolcraft said. "He realized he wasn't breathing."

According to court records, Gillock was pronounced dead at Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center at about 1 a.m. Monday.

Schoolcraft said Whitehead spoke with police following the shooting and allegedly said he had shot the Gillock while the Gillock charged at him.

Gillock reportedly said, "You want some of this?" before allegedly charging at him, according to court records.

Police were on scene well into Monday morning searching for evidence.

Whitehead was released on an unsecured bond pending his appearance in Magistrate Court scheduled for March 12.